Steam-trap.



No. 738,672. Y PATBNTBD SEPT. a, 1903.

P. H. N. GBRWIG, T

STEAM TRAP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 21, 1903.

PATENTED SEPT. `8, 1903.. v

F. H. N. GERWIG.

STEAM TRAP.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 21. 190s.

N0 MODEL.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Suoi/mnt :m: Nonni: PETERS cb.; NUTMITNO.. wAsmN'mN. n. c.

o. 'i'r38,6';/27. atented September 81, 1903;.'

- UNITED STATES Pirrniwr GFEICE.

FREDERICK IIENRY NICHOLAS cERwI'C, CE WILKINSBURC, PENNSYLVANIA.

STEAM-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming' part of Letters Patent No. 738,672, dated September 8, 1903. Application filed May 21, 1993. serial No. 153.114. uio modal.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

in the condensing-chamber will operate it,

, and it can be placed at any level irrespective Be it known that l, FREDERICK HENRY of any other appliance. The device is inter- NIOHOLAS GERWIG, a citizen of the United mittent in its operation, being controlled by States, residing at Wilkinsburg, in the county predetermined conditions. A siphon is pro- 55 5 of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have vided between the bucket and the bottom of invented certain new and useful Improve- I the eliminator-chamber, whereby the water in ments in Steam-Traps, of which the following I the bucket is caused to be discharged by a is a specification. l Siphoning action until the water-level around This invention relates to certain new and the bucket in the contents-chamber reaches 6o lo useful improvements in stcamtraps or elimithe level of the top of the bucket in the lower nators for the water of condensation. position and the level of the Water in the `The present inventionhas for its object, bucket is lowered until the buoyancy of the among others,to provide a novel and improved water around the bucket again raises it to the construction of steam-trap of that class in top position, ready for another operation. I 65 15 which is employedapivotally-mountedrecepemploy a simple novel form of dischargetacle adapted to be intermittently actuated. valve embodying a valve-body containing a The present construction embodies an elimivalve-seat, a valve-stem carrying a valve and natur-chamber, a condensing-chamber therea cylindrical portion grooved to prevent leakin, and a bucket or receptacle within the conage, a diaphragm, and a spring to facilitate 7o zo densing-chamber, the two chambers having quick closing of the valve. No stuffing-box two outlets-one from eachL-in order that is employed on the stem of the valve. The the entire contents of the eliminating-chamdiaphragm-chamber is connected by a pipe ber, ,as well as the contents of the bucket, with a valve controlled by the movement of I through one discharge may be made. By the, I the bucket and the lever connected therewith. 7 5 z5,I present construction the water of condensa- Other objects and advantages of the invention from a number of separators can be sition will hereinafter appear` and the novel multaneously taken care of. The arrangefeatures thereof will be particularly pointed ment of the bucket is such that it is not necout in the appended claims. Veslsary to attach a counterwe'ight,directly The invention is clearly illustrated in the 8c 3u thereto, but the counterweight is pivoted on accompanying drawings, which, with the nua lever7 whereby a bucket may be as light as I merals of reference marked thereon,I form a possible for the greatest `capacity before it part of this specification, and in whichwill drop from its upper position. The coun- Figure l is a substantially central vertical terweight in its upper position exerts no section through atrap constructed in accord- 85 3 5 downward force on the bucket, the center of ance with my invention. Fig. 2 isa top plan gravity of the weight passing slightly inside thereof. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. l, the hinged point or fulcrum of the lever; but showing a slightly-modiiied form. the said weight exerts its maximum down- Like numerals of reference indicate like ward force on the bucket in its lowermost poparts throughout the several views. 9o 4o sition when the contents of the bucket' are Referring now to the details, 1 designates being discharged. 1 the eliminating-chamber, the sides of which Anotherobject is to prevent the scale or inpractice preferably are lagged outside to grit of any .kind entering the condensingprevent too rapid radiation. 'Ihis "chamber I chamber in which the working parts of the may be of any suitable shape,A material, and 95 4 3 htrap are disposed, and thus wear or injury of Icapacity and supported in any suitable manthe working parts is avoided. The inlet-pipe ner-as, for instance, by thelegs 2.. f (Seen in enters directly into the eliminator-chamber. Fig. l.) Near its upper end it is formed with A further object is to provide a trap that 'the inwardly-extending lug or shoulder 3, Y shall be positive and reliable in its operation. upon which rests the annular flange i of the roc 5o Any pressure above that-of the atmosphere condensing-chamber 5, which latter is of less diameter than the diameter of the eliminatingchamber, and -this condensing-chamber may be of any suitable capacity, shape, and material.

6 is a pipe communicating with the interior of the eliminating-chamber at any convenient point near the top thereof, this pipe being designed to be connected with an inlet or ldrain pipe 7 from a line of steam of pipe or vessel.

as a separator by which waterof condensation is collected in the said eliminating-chamber only. The inlet-pipe 6 may be arranged to receive the water of condensation from a number of separators or the like, and the device may be installed to drain any pipe or vessel in which steam is used under pressure. The eliminatin g-'chamber is provided near its lower -portion with an enlargement 8, having near its lower end the opening 9, communicating with the interior of the eliminating-chamber near its bottom and serving as a dischargeopening through which the Water of condensation is discharged from the eliminating vessel andy carried through the passage 10 in said '18 to permit scale and sediment which may collect in said chamber to be blown ont when necessary.

In the form seen in Fig. 1 the walls of the condensing-chamber 10 form a common partition or division between the interior of the eliminating-chamber and that of the condensing-chamber, as will be readily understood.

The iianges or lugs 3 and 4 are, bolted or otherwise secured together, as at 19, (see Fig. 1,) to form a steam-tight joint between the eliminating and condensing chambers. Inside of the condensing-chamber 5 is a bucket 20, perferably cylindrical in form and having a tube 21 fastened rigidly to the bottom of said bucket and disposed axially thereof. The means 22 for connecting this tube to the bottom of the bucket may be any suitable for the purpose, the bottom end of the tube being open, as shown, to serve as a guide for a cylindrical guiding-stem 23,which is hinged at 24 to the bottom of the condensing-chamber 5 to constrain the bucket at its lower end to move in substantiallyavertical direction.` The top end of the bucket is attached yby means of a hinged joint 25, connecting` the upper end of the tube 2l to the horizontal -ar1n26 lof a bell-crank lever, the lower end of the vertical arm 27 of which is pivotally connected, as'at 2S, to the inner wall of "f-jthe condensing-chamber, as seen clearly in Fig-1.

y This lever is provided with a lug or upward projection 29,"and the lever is also provided with a counterbalance -weight 30, which,it will be observed,is disconnected from 38 or the like, whereby they may be adjusted as occasion may require, and these collars are disposed upon opposite sides of the lug 29, whereby they are engaged by the said arm when the bucket moves up or down, thus causing the needle-valve 39, carried by said stem, to be operated and to be closed when the bucket is in its uppermost position and open when the bucket drops to the lower position, in which it is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1.

40 is a plug or the like having a port 41 communicating with an angle-valve 42 on the outside of the eliminating-chamber, and this plug has a valve-seat 43 for the needle-valve 39. This port communicates by meansof a coupling 44, having a reduced exhaust-opening and the pipe 45, with discharge-valve diaphragm-chamber 46.

The valve 17 is carried bya valve-stem 47 which is an enlarged cylindrical part 48,wh ich is secured, as at 49, to prevent leakage, and a diaphragm is clamped between the flanges of the diaphragm-chamber 46 and the flange 51 of the body 53, which forms a guide for the valve-stem, a spring 53 being provided, as seen in Fig. 1, to facilitate quick closing of the valve. It is to be noted that nostuffing-box is required on the stem of this valve; yet it is most efiicient andA reliable in its operation.

An equalized steam-pressure exists at all times` between the eliminating-chamberand the condensing chamber by means of the openings 54 and 55, as seen in Fig. 1, the former being in the sidewall of the eliminatin g-chamber and the latter in the cap or cover thereof, the said openings being connected by the equalizing-pipe 56, disposed in any convenient manner, so as to afford communication between the chamber 1 below ythe steam-tight joint formed by the flanges 3 and 4 and the space above the same in order to establish pressure communication between the two chambers so long as the water-level in the eliminating-chamber remains below the opening 54, which opening may be located at any convenient point below the inlet-pipe 6.

57 is a pipe extending downward within the bucket 20, within a short distance of the bottom thereof, when the latter is in its uppermost position, as seen by full lines in Fig. 1. This forms the outlet from the condensingchamber, andithasalateral branch 58,engaged in the nipple or enlargement 59 of the wall of the eliminating-chamber, as shown, and communication is afforded between the same and IOO IIO

the bottom ofthe eliminating-chamber by means of a pipe 60, which connects with the valve-casing 61, provided with an adjusting- Y valve having a stem 62, by means of which it may be adjusted, the nipple 63 of said valvecasing` beingconnected with the eliminatingchamber and enteringinto the same through 4the port or opening 64, all as seen clearly in when desired.

jsubstantially as hereinbefore described the operation is as follows: Water of condensa-` tion and steam entering through the inletpipe 6 causes the water to collect and rise in the eliminating-chamberl until the level of the Water rises above the opening .54 and shuts off steam communication between the eliminating-chamber 1 and the condensingchamber 5. Radiation of heat from the top and sid-es of the condensing-chamber will cause the entrapped steam in the condensing-chamber to partly condense, and'thereby producea slight vacuum in the chamber. The pressure in the eliminating chamber 1 will` still be maintained constant by an uninterrupted source of supply from the pipe 6 andthe slight difference in pressure between the condensingchamber and theeliminating-chamberwill. cause Water to be lifted up into the bucket in the condensingi chamber through the. pipes 57 and 60 until `f pressure in the eliminator and discharge its the `bucket 2O is about full of water, when it will fall by gravity into the lower position (shown by dotted lines Vin Fig. 1) and by the action of the levers 26 and 27 open the needle-valve 39, thus communicating steampressure to the diaphragm and lifting the discharge-valve 17 up off its seat against the contents. As soon as the water-level in the eliminating-chamber l begins to fall it will cause the water in the bucket 20 to be discharged by a siphoning action in the pipes 57 and until the Water-level around the bucket in the condensing-chamber 5will reach the n level of the top of the bucket 20 in the lower position, and the level of the water in the bucket will be lowered until the buoyancy of the water around the bucketpwill again raise it to the top position, ready for another operation, andso on. i l

" In Fig. 3 I have shown a slight modification in which the eliminating-chainberl is of substantially the same shape as in the form described in connection with Fig. 1, having theblow-out opening 18X, as in the prior form, being supported on supports, as 2X, and having the enlargement 8X, withpassage 9X, and the vertical passagelO and connection with the valve-casing 13X, containing a valve 14X, all

as insaid Fig. 1. The 4condensing-chamber 5 in this form. is disposed exteriorly of. the eliminating-chamber and the bucket 20X` is Vdisposed within this condensing-chamber,

being in all respects similar to the form shown in Fig. 1, being guided on the rod 23X, hinged at 24X, the counterweight 30X, lever 26 ,&c., being the same, and the lever having the arm 29X, guided on the rod 31X, provided with the collars 87X, all corresponding to the similar parts shown in Fig. 1. AIn this view 6 is the inlet-pipe. The pipe 7 corresponds to the pipe 7 in said Fig. 1, and the pipe 60X,corresponding to the pipe 60, being connected with the interior of the eliminating-chamber near its bottom, as at 64X, and its other end connecting With the downwardlyextending pipe 57X, which extends within the bucket to near the bottom thereof. The pipe 45X serves the same function as the pipe 45, being connected with the diaphragm-chamber 46X. e

The equalized steampressure between the condensing chamber and the eliminatingchamber is maintained by means of the pipe 56X, which serves the same function as the pipe56 in the construction illustrated in Fig. 1. When the condensing chamber is disposed exteriorly of the eliminating-chamber, as inthe form shown in Fig. 3, it is supported upon suitable legs or the like 75.

The operation of the parts shown in Fig. 3 is substantially the same as that illustrated in Fig. 1 and hereinbefore described, the only difference being in the relative arrangement and disposition of the parts and a resultant change in the cap or cover 35X and its connections, the cover to the condensing-chamber in the form shown in Fig. 3 being substantially the same as that to the eliminatingchamber in Fig. 1, the removable closure 65X being disposed over the lever and weight for the same purpose.

From the above it will be seen that I havedevised a novel, simple, yet cheap and efficient form of steaintrap most practically adapted for the purposes for which it is .intended, and while the structural embodiment of the invention as herein disclosed is what I consider at the present time to be 4the most preferable it is evident that the same is subject to changes, variations, `and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention or sacrificing any of its advantages. I therefore do not wish to be restricted to the details of construction herein discloselcL-but reserve the right to make such changes, variations, and modifications as come.properly within the scope of the protection prayed.

What is claimed as new is`-- 1. In a steam-trap, an eliminating-chamber, a` condensing-chamber depending Within said eliminating-chamber, each having an independent outlet, and means for maintainingan equalized steampressure between said chambers, substantially as described.;

2. Inl a steam-trap, an eliminating-cham-` '.ber, a condensing-chamber, an outlet from IOO r thetop of the eliminating-chamber formaintaining an equalized steam-pressure between said chambers,and a tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber.

In a steam-trap, an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber depending within said eliminating-chamber, an outlet from each` means for maintaining an equalized steam-pressure betweensaid chambers, a tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, and a siphon connection between said receptacle and the eliminating-chamber.

4'. A steam-trap comprising two separate 'and distinct chambers disposed one within the other, one constituting an eliminatingchamber and the other a condensing-chamber adapted to contain steam and water under lpressure, a vertically-movable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, a siphon for discharging the contents ofv said receptacle into the eliminating-chamber, anda valve controlled by the movements of sad receptacle.

5. A steam-trap comprising an eliminatingchamber, a` condensing chamber depending within the eliminating chamber, an inlet for water of condensation into the eliminatingchamber, and an equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of said eliminating-chamber at a point below the connection of said vinlet-pipe and connecting with the interior of the condensing-chamber.

6. Asteam-trap comprising an eliminatingchamber, a condensing-chamber depending within the eliminating-chamber, a verticallymovable tiltable receptacle Within the condensing-chamber, an inlet for water of condensation into the eliminating-chamber, and

, an equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of the eliminating-chamber at a point below said inlet and connecting with the interior of the condensing-chamber.

y7. A steam-trap comprising an eliminati ngcliamber, a condensing-chamber depending Within the eliminating-chamber, a vertically-y movable tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, an inlet for water of condensation into the eliminating-chamber, an

equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of the eliminating-chamber at a point below said i inlet and connecting with the interior of the condensing-chamber, .and a counterweighted -lever carrying said receptacle.

-densation into the eliminating-chamber, an

equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of the eliminating-chamber at a point below said inlet and connecting with the interior of the condensing-chamber, and a siphon discharge `'having one portion extending within said receptacle. A

9. A steam-trap'comprising an eliminatingchamber, a condensing-chamber depending within the eliminating-chamber, a verticallymovable tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, an inletl for water of condensation into the eliminating-chamber, an equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of the eliminating-chamber at a point below said r inlet and connecting with the interior of the conden sing-chamber, a counterweighted lever carrying said receptacle, and a siphon discharge having one portion extending within said receptacle.

l0. A steam-trap comprising an 'eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber depending within the-eliminating-chamber, a vertically movable and tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, a pivotally-mounted counterweighted lever carrying said receptacle, a valve controlled by the movement of said lever, and a siphon discharge from said receptacle 11. A steam-'trap comprising an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber depending within the eliminating-chamber, a vertically movable and 'tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, a pivotally-mounted counterweighted lever carrying said receptacle, a valve controlled by the movement of y said lever, a siphon discharge from said receptacle, and an equalizing-pipe connecting the eliminating-chamber with the condensingchamber.

l2. A 'steam-trap comprising an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a receptacle within the condensing-chamber mounted for vertical and tilting movement, a pivotally-` mounted counterweighted bellcrank lever carrying said receptacle, a valve controlled by the movements of said lever, and a siphon discharge having one member extending within said receptacle. l

13. A steam-trap comprising an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a receptacle within the condensing-chamber mounted for vertical and tilting movement, a pivotallyvmounted counterweighted bell-crank lever carrying said receptacle, a valve controlled by the movements of said lever, a Siphon discharge having one member extending Within said receptacle, an inlet for water of condensation into the eliminating-chamber, and a pipe connecting said eliminating-chamber at a point below said inlet with the condensingchamber.

14. A steam-trap consisting of two separate and distinct chambers, one depending within the other and constituting an eliminatingchamber and a condensing-chamber adapted to contain steam and water under pressure,

a vertically-movable tiltable vessel mounted in the condensing-chamber, a valve-controlled discharge-opening leading outwardly from the eliminating-chamber, a valve therefor,

IOO

IIO

operated by a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a pipe leading from the diaphragm-chamber tothe interior of the condensing-chamber, a valve controlling the outlet through each pipe, and means, for opening and closing such valve by a vertical movement of the vessel,

` all in combination with two distinct chambers.

l5. A steam-trap consisting of two separate and distinct chambers, an eliminating-chamber and a condensing chamber adapted to Vcontain steamand water under pressure, a

"` vertically-movable tiltable vessel mounted in l the condensing-chamber, a valve-controlled discharge opening leading outwardly from the eliminating chamber, a valve therefor, operated by a diaphragm, a diaphragm-chamber, a pipe leading from the diaphragm-cham.-

berto the interior of the condensing-chamber,

i a valve controlling the outlet through each pipe, means for opening and closing such valve by a vertical movement of the vessel,

all in combination with two distinct chambers, and an equalizing-pipe leading from the interior of the eliminating-chamber at a point below the inlet-pipe connection and communicating with the interior of the condensingf ss 1G. In a steam-trap, an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a vertically movably mounted and tiltable receptacle within the condensing-chamber, a valve controlled by the movements of said receptacle, an equalizing-pipe connecting the eliminating and condensing chambers, a Siphon discharge from said receptacle into the bottom of the eliminating-chamber, a diaphragm-chamber,

` a valve controlled by said diaphragm, and a connection with the bottom of the eliminating-chamber.

`17. In a steam-trap, an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a connection between the eliminating chamber and the upper'portion of the'conden sin g-chamber, a vertically movable andtiltable receptacle within `the condensing-chamber, a siphonic connec- Y tion between said receptacle and the lower portion of the eliminating-chamber, a discharge-valve for said eliminating chamber,

and a connection between said dischargevalve and the upper end of the eliminatingsaid receptacle.

18. An intermittent-flow steam-trap1com prising an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a vertically movably mounted tiltable receptacle within the condensing-y.

chamber, a pivotally-mounted,lever carrying chamber and controlled by the movement of said receptacle, a valve controlled bythemovements of said lever, a diaphragm-chamber with diaphragm and valve, adischarge-` outlet from the eliminating-chamber connecting with said diaphragm-chamber, and a connection betweenthebottom of said diaphragm` chamber and the upper end of the eliminating chamber controlled by the iirst mentioned valve, a siphon discharge from the receptacle into the eliminating-chamber, and an equalizing-pipe connecting the eliminating and condensing chambers.

19. An intermittent-flow steam-trap Icomprising an eliminating-chamber, a condensing-chamber, a vertically movably mounted,

witnesses.

FRDERICK HENRY NICHOLAS GERWIG.

i/Vitnesses:

A. N. DIEHL, Trios. G. Sfrrrr. 

